If you live with food allergies then you know that life with food allergies presents unique challenges. They become even more prevalent when we face social situations that require eating out with others. Being out of the comfort of own kitchen and safe foods is where we are the most vulnerable. Especially,when we are getting ready to celebrate and enjoy, just like anyone else. Here are some tips on how to be successful in navigating maze of social events and family visits during holidays.
Merry Christmas – keep it allergen free holiday
- Plan ahead – make sure you know what you will be
facing and who is in charge of foods - Prepare yourself for a marathon of explanations
and asking questions – this is part of you advocating for yourself and making
sure that what you are just about to eat is safe for you - Be clear on what you can’t eat. If needs to be
make a list and have it handy - Make a list of foods that you CAN eat. This way
you might be able to present some ideas to people that find it hard to think
outside of box. This might just make your experience more pleasant. - If situations allow it, offer to make your
favorite food, or cake, so you can share with others, but you can also be sure
that you will be able to eat something that you really enjoy. - Don’t assume that people know as much as you do
about your needs. Be polite but ask how was the food prepared. Ask for
details, making sure that these holidays are going to be a great memory for - If you are hosting an event at your house, this
could be easier. However, if you are going to serve food that is not safe for
you, make sure to place it at the very end of serving table, so people will
help themselves with this meal last. This will prevent people possibly dropping
small pieces or crumbs onto the rest of the food. - Call or email ahead the host of the event and
make it clear that you have food allergies and would like to know if they would
be able to accommodate those. You can make suggestion how those could be accommodated. - Carry snacks with you all the time. Just in case
that everything else fails and you will need to eat something. - Do your research of restaurants close to the
place where you are going to eat at. Do they offer meals that you can possibly have?
As the last resource, you can always excuse yourself and eat somewhere else, if
they were not able take care of your needs. - Enjoy yourself! But don’t let your guard down.
Happy Holidays with Food Allergies!